The BMW 3-Series is locked in a perennial struggle with Mercedes-Benz’s C-Class—and we dare say it’s losing.
The BMW has one ace in the hole: a rear-drive 340i with a manual transmission should be on every enthusiast shopper’s short list to drive.
The Audi A4 is more technologically advanced, with standard all-wheel drive, but we like the 330i’s turbo-4 more.
The Cadillac ATS is enthusiastic, if not somewhat rougher around the corners.
The Lexus IS and Infiniti Q50 are also-rans in the category for now, mostly hamstrung by finicky infotainment systems or lackluster performance across the board.
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 2018 BMW 3-SeriesGet Your Price |  2018 Audi A4Get Your Price |  2018 Cadillac ATSGet Your Price |  2018 INFINITI Q50Get Your Price |  2018 Lexus ISGet Your Price |  2018 Mercedes-Benz C ClassGet Your Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quick Specs | |||||
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The 2018 BMW 3-Series makes its strongest case in performance for luxury compact buyers’ attentions. |
The 2018 Audi A4 and Allroad are sophisticated luxury cars with few glaring faults—and lots of commendable features, particularly the high-tech Virtual Cockpit. |
The Cadillac ATS remains a highly desirable underdog with its terrific ride and handling and willing powertrains. It's as fun-to-drive as any compact luxury sedan. |
The 2018 Infiniti Q50 is powerful, well-equipped luxury sedan that doesn't quite match up to Germany's finest yet. |
The Lexus IS needs more powertrain guts, and more styling glory, to tackle the cars it wants to take down. |
Very expensive and still not very large, the 2018 Mercedes-Benz C-Class nonetheless leads its luxury niche with fabulous style and fantastic power and grip. |
| MSRP From | |||||
| $34,900 | $36,000 | N/A | $35,200 | $38,210 | $40,250 |
| Gas Mileage | |||||
| 20 MPG City / 43 MPG Hwy | 24 MPG City / 37 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 19 MPG City / 32 MPG Hwy | 17 MPG City / 33 MPG Hwy | |
| Engine | |||||
| Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | N/A | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 | Intercooled Turbo Premium Unleaded I-4 |
| EPA Class | |||||
| Compact Cars | Compact Cars | N/A | Mid-Size Cars | Compact Cars | Compact Cars |
| Style Name | |||||
| 320i Sedan | 2.0 TFSI ultra Premium Plus S Tronic FWD | N/A | 2.0t PURE RWD | IS 300 F Sport RWD | C 300 Sedan |
| Drivetrain | |||||
| Rear Wheel Drive | Front Wheel Drive | N/A | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Passenger Capacity | |||||
| 5 | 5 | N/A | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Passenger Doors | |||||
| N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Body Style | |||||
| Sedan | Sedan | N/A | Sedan | Sedan | Sedan |
| Transmission | |||||
| Automatic w/OD | Auto-Shift Manual w/OD | N/A | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD | Automatic w/OD |
| Detailed Spec Comparison | |||||
| 2018 BMW 3-Series vs. 2018 Audi A4 | 2018 BMW 3-Series vs. 2018 Cadillac ATS | 2018 BMW 3-Series vs. 2018 INFINITI Q50 | 2018 BMW 3-Series vs. 2018 Lexus IS | 2018 BMW 3-Series vs. 2018 Mercedes-Benz C Class | |
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